(Saint) Pope, Martyr (November 12) (7th century) A Tuscan who, after a brilliant course of studies in the schools of his time, decided to dedicate himself and his exceptional gifts to the service of the Altar, wherein his ability and sanctity raised him by degrees to the Chair of Saint Peter (A.D. 649). He was distinguished for his love of the poor and other pastoral virtues, but perhaps yet more for his zealous guardianship of the deposit of the Faith. In its defence he underwent many years of living martyrdom. His hardest struggle was against the Monothelite heretics patronised by the Greek Emperor Constans II. He condemned them formally in a Council of many Bishops held in the Lateran at Rome (A.D. 649). After this, his life was attempted more than once. He was next seized and deported to the Isle of Naxos in the iEgean Sea, where he passed a whole year in sickness and sore privation. Finally, he was brought to Constantinople, imprisoned there, and subjected to every sort of ignominy. He died in exile in the Crimea (A.D. 655). His body was afterwards translated to Rome, and is enshrined in the Church which bears his name.